We had 40 pastors, leaders, and students from our TUMI (The Urban
Ministry Institute) that were former prisoners who participated in this
workshop. TUMI students start their ministry study in prison through our
partnership with Prison Fellowship and can either graduate there or can
continue their study when they are released at one of our satellite locations.
Our workshop was a powerful time bringing people together with the desire to
make a larger impact in one of the more underrepresented populations in
churches.
Since the initial workshop we are working with churches in the Los
Angeles area and at least 4 other counties that are preparing to launch this
workshop to either start or support a ministry to returning citizens (formerly
incarcerated) in their church/ministry context. Please join us in prayer for
these ministry leaders.
At the church we planted, Fuente para las Naciones,
one requirement of our leadership intern program is to lead a ministry project.
Hugo was really impacted when we have gone out and fed and prayed with the
homeless near our church. So, he organized a group from our church to do
something similar. When we had just about run out of food, drinks and hygiene
packs one of the ladies in our group recognized one of the homeless as the
daughter of her friend and asked permission to ‘knock’ on one of the tent
structures. A couple of us walked over there and what ensued was a lot of
crying and deep ministry through hugs, prayer and words of affirmation. We just
never know who will be affected by homelessness, addiction, incarceration,
loneliness, depression, or poverty. Sometimes we just need a hug and to know
that somebody loves us. God does that for us; we want to do that for others.
Thank you for loving us well, so that we can continue day in and
day out hitting the streets to minister to the least of these all the while encouraging
and empowering other leaders in the city to do the same.
Please be in prayer for the following:
Our 2 church planting schools coming up (in English and Spanish)
Our Easter outreaches
Protection, provision, wisdom and grace for our family as we minister in the city
